Marjane Satrapi already has documented her incredible life story about her escape from Iran, schooling in Vienna and subsequent life in Paris in the graphic novel and animated movie “Persepolis.” Now, in her wonderful second feature film “Chicken with Plums,” opening this week, she turns to other matters: life, love and food. In the film, violinist Nasser Ali Khan — whose favorite dish is chicken with plums — decides to die. Read More

Directed by David Cronenberg, who adapted it from Don DeLillo’s 2003 novel, “Cosmopolis” is a deeply subversive, deeply intelligent movie for grown-ups. It’s also a brilliant vehicle for Cronenberg’s pet theme: the elusive point at which thought meets the human body.A million miles from “Twilight,” Robert Pattinson stars as Eric Packer, a 28-year-old multibillionaire. “We want a haircut,” he announces to his security man (Kevin Durand), referring to himself in the plural. And he is two people: a figurehead who symbolizes wealth as well as a flesh-and-blood human being. Read More

“The Bourne Legacy” looks like a reboot, but it’s more of a sequel. Either way, it’s a mostly unnecessary addition to the smart, exciting “Bourne” trilogy based on characters created by novelist Robert Ludlum. The new movie’s story takes place about the same time as events of 2007’s “The Bourne Ultimatum.” Matt Damon is not here, but his Jason Bourne is on the sidelines, appearing as a phantom in documents and news reports, and spoken about in hushed tones. Read More

Seventy-six-old filmmaker William Friedkin’s ferocious new movie “Killer Joe” looks like it was made by a 26-year-old. Yet Friedkin — who won a best directing Oscar for “The French Connection” and directed one of the biggest hits of all time, “The Exorcist” — claims he didn’t do anything other than pick the right script, cast the right actors and show up. Read More

Christopher Nolan's “The Dark Knight Rises,” the third in his Batman series, and eighth Batman movie overall (counting the 1966 comedy), is the biggest of them all. Coming in at nearly three hours featuring a story spanning years, it's a battle epic for the ages. But it’s also rooted in the world’s current economic woes, and growing frustration over a widening gap between the ultra-rich and the have-nots. After the destructive events of “The Dark Knight,” Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) has become a recluse; it follows that Batman also has not been seen in years. Read More

“Take This Waltz,” the second feature film directed by actress Sarah Polley, is a crushing, but breathtaking, look at romance – the kind rarely, if ever, portrayed in movies. Polley's previous film, the outstanding "Away from Her," delicately explored longing and heartbreak. Here she goes a step further. Read More

In his directorial debut, screenwriter Alex Kurtzman — known for blockbusters including “The Island,” “Transformers,” “Star Trek” and “Cowboys & Aliens” — has taken a 180-degree turn from popcorn movies. Opening Friday, “People Like Us” tells the story of a man who, after the death of his father, learns he has a half-sister.In real life, Kurtzman made a similar discovery, though it was as simple as a woman coming up to him at a party and saying, “I’m your sister.” The movie is a good deal more emotionally complex. Read More